Maternity leave is now 24 weeks: what working mothers should know

Rules can change; we describe the situation as of the date this article was prepared (October 2026). Maternity leave is one of the questions working people ask most during pregnancy, and the periods changed in 2026. Here is the general picture in calm, plain language.

The periods grew to 24 weeks

Law No. 7578, in force since 1 May 2026, extended maternity leave from 16 to 24 weeks. It applies to employees under the Labour Law (No. 4857, art. 74) and to female civil servants (Law No. 657, art. 104/A).

• 8 weeks before birth
• 16 weeks after birth
• 24 weeks in total
• With multiple pregnancy, 2 weeks are added before birth

Transitional rules exist for people who gave birth before the change or close to that date. Ask your employer or check SGK announcements to see how your situation is handled.

You may choose to keep working

If your health allows and your doctor approves (civil servants need a physician’s report), you may work until 2 weeks before birth if you wish. The time you work is added to your leave after birth. If the baby arrives early, the unused days before birth are added after birth too.

This is an option, not an obligation. You can decide based on how you feel and your doctor’s advice.

Special situations

• With a doctor’s report, the periods can be extended for employees if needed.
• If the mother dies at or after birth, the remaining post-birth leave passes to the father.
• Those who adopt a child under 3 receive 8 weeks of leave from the handover.

Income during leave

Female civil servants keep receiving their salary from their institution. For employees, SGK, not the employer, covers income through the temporary incapacity (maternity) allowance when conditions are met. The key requirement is at least 90 days of short-term insurance premiums in the year before birth, and not working during the leave. The allowance is paid for each day you do not work and is calculated from your daily earnings; ask SGK for the rate and details. For self-employed people (4/b), no outstanding premium or health insurance debt is also required.

Some SGK information pages may still show the old 8+8 week scheme; if there is a conflict, the text of the law prevails.

Options after leave ends

• Employees may take up to 6 months of unpaid leave after the 24 weeks, if they wish.
• Female civil servants may take up to 24 months of unpaid leave (Law No. 657, art. 108/B).
• See our separate article on part-time work and nursing leave.

No salary is paid during unpaid leave; ask your employer and SGK how it affects insurance and retirement.

Points that are often confused

The most common confusion is that 24 weeks is the total; 16 weeks is only the post-birth part. Working until late pregnancy does not cost you leave, because the time you work is added after birth. For civil servants the salary comes from the institution, for employees the allowance comes from SGK; these are two different routes. Older news online may still mention the 16-week period. Check the date of what you read, and when in doubt ask your institution or SGK. Asking is always the safest way to understand your own situation.

What you can do

1. Ask your doctor for a report showing your expected due date.
2. Notify your employer or HR in writing.
3. Think ahead about when to start leave and whether to work until late pregnancy.
4. Register your mobile number with the SGK service on e-Devlet so payment notices arrive by SMS.
5. Keep your questions and the answers in writing.

Where to check current rules

• mevzuat.gov.tr: Law No. 4857 art. 74 and Law No. 657 art. 104
• Official Gazette: Law No. 7578
• sgk.gov.tr: the maternity page (it may be outdated, check its date)
• Your workplace HR or personnel unit

This article is for general information; your institution’s and SGK’s current statements are what count for your own case.